Was Notre Dame Disrespected in the Preseason AP Top 25?

Based on how strong Notre Dame was by the end of last season, beating two teams that start 2025 ranked above it, the question is certainly worth asking.

Notre Dame returns a slew of talent this fall, should be a force on both lines, and has seen skill players take a significant step

It seems pretty simple why Notre Dame checks in sixth and isn't knocking on the door of the top spot. Football fans tend to overthink things often but this one seems pretty straight-forward.

Notre Dame Remains Undecided at Quarterback

When you look at the five teams ranked ahead of Notre Dame, all but one have their starting quarterback decided. The one who doesn't is Ohio State, which is coming off a national championship and returns two of the nation's top-five players in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs.

Elsewhere, Texas has Heisman Trophy favorite Arch Manning, Penn State returns Drew Allar, Clemson has third-year starter Cade Klubnik, and Georgia has Gunnar Stockton, who started last season's Sugar Bowl.

I don't think it would matter if Notre Dame named Carr or Minchey the starter, but had it had a clear-cut starter entering the fall, I would imagine it would have received more points and likely a spot or two higher ranking.

Reminder, These Don't Matter for Notre Dame

Last year, Notre Dame started the year ranked seventh before falling to No. 18 after losing to Northern Illinois. If Notre Dame takes care of business in the way it should with the 2025 schedule, it'll have gone 11-1 or 12-0, and will be on the short list of teams in conversation to receive a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff, even if its preseason rating isn't in the top-five.